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From the Archives, June 24

Posted: Jun. 24, 2018 12:01 am

150 years ago

June 25, 1868

Fire at Greensville

The Greensville Hotel, kept by William Cortleyon, was found to be on fire, about eleven o'clock on Saturday night last, but being discovered early, it was extinguished before it had got fairly under way. It was evidently the work of an incendiary, and the track made by a pair of boots in the road, led to the arrest of James Hester, a young man found in the neighborhood, but who had been formerly in the employment of Clinton Vass, a merchant in Warren County. Hester has since made a confession, stating that he was to receive a team of horses and $500 for burning the property, but from whom, or whether his statement can be relied on, we are unable to say. He is now in Newton Jail, and the affair will likely undergo judicial investigation.

Notwithstanding the fire, we learn that the Ball, advertised to take place at Greenville, on the evening of the 31 of July, will positively come off, Mr. Cortleyon having engaged music and other extensive arrangements to insure a "good time."

Fraudulent pension case

A preliminary examination took place on Saturday morning last before U.S. Commissioner Whitehead in the case of Henry S. Morris, of Sussex County, who it will be recollected, stands charged with endeavoring to procure a pension under the name of Francis A. Davis, by means of forged signatures to the necessary documents. Assistant District Attorney Young appeared for the government and Wm. B. Guild Jr., for defendant. Rosewell C. Coleman, Esq. of Goshen, N.Y., the lawyer who drew up the pension papers for the defendant, was examined at length as to the document forwarded, and the steps he had taken, under the direction of the Department, to verify the genuineness of the signatures endorsing the applicant's claims, among which were those of Hon. A.J. Rogers and Hon. Chas. H. Winfield and other distinguished men. A number of letters, papers and copies of documents pertaining to the affair were submitted by the prosecutor. The defense offered no evidence in reply, and the prisoner was remanded to the county jail, where he has been in confinement since his arrest.

125 years ago

June 29, 1893

R.R. smashup at Stillwater

A number of cars of the P.P.&B., reduced to kindling wood -- no loss of life, but all trains delayed for several hours

An expensive railroad accident occurred near Stillwater at 2:45 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon of this week, by which the Pennsylvania, Poughkeepsie and Boston Railroad sustained a severe loss to rolling stocking, and for which no one in particular appears to be responsible.

At that hour, train 83 of the P.P.&B., on the N.Y.S&W railroad track westward bound was run in the long switch one-half mile west of Stillwater. It was the intention of the conductor of train No. 430 (wild cat special eastward bound) to occupy this switch, while he ran his engine to Swartswood for water. Not being able to occupy the switch, he determined to leave his train upon the main line, hurry to Swartswood, supply his engine with water, and return in time to get out of the way of the express freight, which was following him.

In this he was quite unsuccessful, as the sequel will show. He had left his train but a few minutes when the men on train 83 heard the whistle of the express freight at McCarter's crossing. This train consisted of 38 loaded coal cars, one oil tank, one car of cord wood and two very heavy engines, and was descending a heavy grade. A strip of woods prevented the engineer from seeing the flagman, and his train was within a short distance of the standing cars before he discovered their close proximity. He at once reversed his engine, and together with his fireman jumped to the ground.

The cars came together with a terrific crash, demolishing one engine and tender, four coal cars, also the coal and wood car. The wreck was piled 25 feet in the air, to attempt to remove which without a wreck car was an impossibility.

General Manager McKelvey was at once telegraphed, and he arrived in the evening with 25 men and a wreck car. Assisted by something like 100 men of the neighboring community, the work of removing the demolished cars advanced rapidly, and by eleven o'clock the track was cleared and trains running with their accustomed regularity.

No estimates were placed upon the loss by the officials, but it will run well into the thousands of dollars.

100 years ago

June 27, 1918

Runaway at Stanhope

Occupant of wagon critically injured

Last Thursday a serious runaway occurred at Stanhope, in which Fred Perry, driver of a spirited team of horses, was critically injured, and a small child knocked down and badly cut and bruised. A combination band concert was in progress on the main street when Perry drove his team in the direction of the bands. As he neared them, the horses made a plunge and dashed toward the crowd of a thousand people or more. As the horses swept down on them they separated and fell back, all escaping injury excepting one little girl, who was knocked down and quite seriously injured. After passing through the crowd, the team ran into a telephone pole and were secured. The contact with the pole threw Mr. Perry from the wagon against an automobile. He was picked up in an unconscious condition, and upon examination it was found that his skull was fractured, one leg and three ribs fractured. He was removed to the Dover hospital and at last accounts was in a very critical condition.

Boy drowns in ice pond

On Monday of this week while a number of Fresh Air boys from New York City were swimming in the ice pond on the McRoy Farm, near the Amity school house, in Byram Township, Joseph Enright, aged 15 years, was attacked with cramps and was drowned before his companions could reach him. He had been at the farm only a few days. His body was recovered in a short time, and Coroner James W. Mills, of Newton, notified. After learning the particulars of the accident, a coroner's inquest was decided unnecessary, and the body was placed in charge of A.J. Almer, undertaker, of Stanhope, until the address of his parents could be ascertained from the association that sent the boys to the farm.

75 years ago

June 24, 1943

Red Cross feeds plane crash guards

Sussex County Chapter prepares sandwiches, coffee and water for soldiers

Soldiers guarding the scene of the bomber crash in Hampton Township were served sandwiches, coffee and drinking water by the Red Cross Friday and Saturday.

At the headquarters of Sussex County Chapter in the courthouse Tuesday a letter reporting the chapter's aid to the soldiers sent by Mrs. Joseph P. Quinn, acting chapter chairman, to North American Area Headquarters in New York, was made public.

"A request was received from the officer in charge for Sussex County Chapter to provide sandwiches and coffee to these soldiers sent to the scene of the airplane disaster from Hackettstown and other places to guard and investigate," the letter stated. "Volunteers were called and responded quickly. Supplies were obtained and 150 sandwiches were made. Milk, sugar, cups, spoons and drinking water were also provided." It was prepared in the kitchen of Christ Episcopal Church Parish House and the church utensils were used.

"The food ready and on its way in on hour after the call was received," the letter stated.

Those helping in the preparation of food were Mrs. Naomi Voorhees, chairman of Volunteer Special Service; Mrs. Claude E. Mazuy, Mrs. Cortelyou Fisher, Mrs. Chris Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Bird and Mrs. Charles Garris. Mrs. Ralph Inslee and Mrs. Robert Longcore aided in obtaining thermos jugs. The food was transported to the scene of the disaster by Bird, Floyd W. Smith and Mrs. Voorhees, accompanied by the women who prepared it. As they were not needed to serve the food, they returned to Newton, first making arrangements so that the soldiers could contact them if more food were needed.

"On Saturday," the letter went on, "the call came to ‘duplicate the order.' The same group responded with the addition of Danny Fisher and Hill McNeil. The food was ready in an hour and was transported to the scene by Bird and Mrs. Mazuy." Arrangements were made to provide more food if it was needed and to have the containers used returned to the Newton State Police Station.

Arrangements are being made for the annual meeting and dinner of Sussex County Chapter American Red Cross, to be held July 12 at 7 o'clock at the Cochran House, Newton. Further particulars concerning the event will be announced later.

50 years ago

June 27, 1968

Former NHS graduate is a ‘Prop' Girl in Germany

WIESBADEN, GERMANY -- In the June 10 issue of the official Army newspaper, "Stars and Stripes," a full page picture story is devoted to Mrs. Susan Klug, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Cole of Ridge Road, Fredon.

Entitled "The Sagacious Prop Girl," the article recounts the versatility and ingenuity of the former Newton High School graduate in lining up props for the Wiesbaden Little Theater production of "Guys and Dolls" staged at the Community Center June 11 through 15.

In private life, Susan is the wife of Capt. David L. Klug of the European-African-Middle Eastern Communications Area headquarters, stationed here. The Klugs were married in 1964, the year of Susan's graduation from the University of Missouri.

Items from home

Where does she get her props? Most of them come from her own house, Susan explained, adding:

"The tin cup for the blind man is the bottom of my flour shaker, the psychology pamphlet came from our encyclopedia, the diaper pail is my plastic wastebasket, the glockenspiel is mine but I haven't played it for eight years -- all the wedding gifts in the play are my kitchen utensils."

A theatrical subterfuge used by Susan is making bundles of newspapers out of wooden cartons. Wedding presents used in the play but not completely visible are only half wrapped.

In the article, Susan is quoted as follows:

"I like to make stuff. I do visual aids for my biology classes and you can bet I make all the props I can, too. I did all the signs for the mission, and made the racing form scratch sheets from old newspapers. Other members of the cast are making a lot of carnations and mums."

After the rehearsals, Susan gathers up all the props and puts them away for the night. The one exception is her grandfather's gold pocketwatch, a family heirloom.

"That goes home with me every night," Susan told Stars and Stripes.

In addition to her duties as properties mistress, Susan also played "Agatha," a Salvation Army worker in the play.

25 years ago

June 30, 1993

Action Park hoping to spring new hang-gliding ride

VERNON -- Swooping and soaring without crashing will be the focus of a hang-gliding ride being proposed for Action Park by the developer of the Aerodium.

Scott Albushkat, who developed the Aerodium, a wind-tunnel ride which enables participants to fly, said the hang glider will enable participants to try simulated hang gliding safely.

The ride will consist of a cable strung from the top of the ski slope at Action Park to a 60 foot tower below near the bungee jumping ride, he said. Participants would be suspended in a harness from the cable and be able to steer the hang glider along the cable, he said.

The whole length of the ride would be about 1,300 feet, he said.

"Depending on the skills of the person, they could fly the glider," he said. He noted that an unskilled rider could make a mistake while hang gliding on the ride without risk of crashing.

Albushkat said he is hoping to appear before the township Zoning Board on July 7 with the plans for the ride. The township Planning Department recently received the plans for the ride which were scheduled to be reviewed for completeness this week, a township official said.

Albushkat said construction of the new ride will depend upon his receiving approval and permits from the state and the township.

Rob Bixon, spokesman for Action Park, said another new ride, the Slingshot, is expected to open at the park next month. The slingshot is a bungee-type ride where the person is propelled into the air on a seat attached to a bungee cord.

In Case You Missed It

HAMBURG -- Hamburg resident Lisaann Van Blarcom Permunian is absolutely elated after tracing her ancestors back to 1634, and in doing so, has been accepted for membership in Descendants of Founders of New Jersey.